Raceland rapist gets life in prison

Published: Monday, April 28, 2014 at 3:48 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, April 28, 2014 at 10:35 p.m.

A Raceland man convicted in early April of aggravated rape and armed robbery was sentenced Monday to life plus 104 years in prison.

Jerry Cleveland, 18, had been convicted of the aggravated rape of a Raceland woman in 2012. He also robbed the victim at gunpoint, the Lafourche Parish District Attorney's Office said.

“We are obviously very pleased with the defendant's sentences,” said District Attorney Cam Morvant. “With all three perpetrators of this crime now locked up for a long time, hopefully the victim and her family can move on from this ordeal with some sense of security and begin the healing process.”

The life sentence Cleveland received for aggravated rape was the mandatory sentence provided by law. Cleveland was also sentenced to serve 99 years at hard labor on the armed robbery charge, which is the maximum sentence for that offense. Because a handgun was used in the robbery, Cleveland got another five years in prison. The two sentences were ordered to be served consecutively.

Assistant District Attorneys Annette Fontana and Steve Caillouet said the long prison sentences were justified.

“It's the only thing the court could do to protect the public welfare and the citizens of Lafourche,” Fontana said.

Cleveland was accused of participating in the home invasion and rape of a woman in her home on St. Louis Street in Raceland. Three suspects broke into the victim's home on March 7, 2012, while she was alone with her 3-year-old child.

Co-defendant Darrel Thomas was previously sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty and agreeing to testify at trial against Cleveland. The third suspect, Devon Richard, received 35 years in prison, also after pleading guilty.

In March, Cleveland was also hit with two counts of second-degree battery, two counts of battery of a police officer, two counts of battery of a correctional facility employee, two counts of resisting an officer with force or violence, two counts of simple battery, simple assault and simple criminal damage to property.

This was after he allegedly attacked another inmate and guard in the Lafourche Parish jail.

<p>A Raceland man convicted in early April of aggravated rape and armed robbery was sentenced Monday to life plus 104 years in prison.</p><p>Jerry Cleveland, 18, had been convicted of the aggravated rape of a Raceland woman in 2012. He also robbed the victim at gunpoint, the Lafourche Parish District Attorney's Office said.</p><p>“We are obviously very pleased with the defendant's sentences,” said District Attorney Cam Morvant. “With all three perpetrators of this crime now locked up for a long time, hopefully the victim and her family can move on from this ordeal with some sense of security and begin the healing process.”</p><p>The life sentence Cleveland received for aggravated rape was the mandatory sentence provided by law. Cleveland was also sentenced to serve 99 years at hard labor on the armed robbery charge, which is the maximum sentence for that offense. Because a handgun was used in the robbery, Cleveland got another five years in prison. The two sentences were ordered to be served consecutively.</p><p>Assistant District Attorneys Annette Fontana and Steve Caillouet said the long prison sentences were justified.</p><p>“It's the only thing the court could do to protect the public welfare and the citizens of Lafourche,” Fontana said. </p><p>Cleveland was accused of participating in the home invasion and rape of a woman in her home on St. Louis Street in Raceland. Three suspects broke into the victim's home on March 7, 2012, while she was alone with her 3-year-old child.</p><p>Co-defendant Darrel Thomas was previously sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty and agreeing to testify at trial against Cleveland. The third suspect, Devon Richard, received 35 years in prison, also after pleading guilty.</p><p>In March, Cleveland was also hit with two counts of second-degree battery, two counts of battery of a police officer, two counts of battery of a correctional facility employee, two counts of resisting an officer with force or violence, two counts of simple battery, simple assault and simple criminal damage to property.</p><p>This was after he allegedly attacked another inmate and guard in the Lafourche Parish jail.</p>